Wit Fall For You

Chapter 12 – Sickness

A/N – I don't own Naruto and it's characters T-T

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"Ino come down and eat dinner with your father and I," Kaoru called from downstairs.

There was no answer.

"Ino?" she continued in slow strides walking up the stairs. Her small fist knocked on the door.

"Ino..." she instinctively reached down to the door knob and twisted it. The door was locked.

"Ino, are you alright?"

Still no answer.

"Ino!" Kaoru banged her fist on the door hoping that Ino was either showering or sleeping.

"Inoichi," come up here your daughter isn't opening her door.

The sound of heavy foot steps echoed through out the Yamanaka household beating like a drum that reached to the climax of a song.

"What's going on?" Inoichi asked.

"The door is locked and Ino won't unlock it," her features expressed worry for her daughter. Inoichi took a key for Ino's door and unlocked it.

As soon as the door opened before them a cool breeze filled the small room and Ino's lavender curtains flew about like a silky waterfall. Kaoru stepped towards the opened window, "Ino," she whispered with sadness.

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Ino sat still in front of a house, back pack in hand. She glanced at the residence name plate on the gate over and over again debating whether she should stay or leave. She released her breath watching the smoke come out resulting from the cold weather.

It's nearly seven o'clock and he's still wasn't home. Ino leaned on the gate and rubbed her freezing hands together. The snow fell ever so softly. She was freezing and she knew it. However staying outside for so long had taken away the sensitivity she felt with the cold weather. Now her whole body felt numb. She couldn't feel a thing. Slowly her sea green eyes began to droop and soon she fell captive to the dream world.

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"Oi," he pushed her gently, "Ino."

Ino's eyes stirred and she rubbed her eyes yawning. She glanced up to the dark sky startled at how dark it became outside, "Eh?"

"…What are you doing here, you'll get sick," he said picking her up bridal style and carrying her to his house. She stared at his worrisome eyes. Her heart made a huge thump. Her eyes became soft as she held onto him tightly burying her pale white face into his chest, "…Shikamaru…" she whispered.

He lightly placed her on top of the futon. His calloused hand pushed strands of her silky blonde hair to the side of her face. Her forehead was warm. How long had this girl before him stayed outside his house? That didn't matter right now. Right now he had to nurse her back to her proper condition. The fever is light now but it will take toll on her in a few hours.

"Shikamaru," she whispered through her sleep.

He stared at her pale features suddenly his heart sped up, "Damn it, not again. Why do u make me feel like this you troublesome girl," a small grin stretch upon his face; not enough however to be noticeable.

He shook his head, now isn't the time to being thinking about such thoughts. He had to get her back to her bubbly self again.

"Troublesome," he muttered before leaving the room.

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"Yes she's here," Yoshino said over the phone, "I see. Well don't worry Kaoru, Ino is here and she'll be fine. Yes. I understand. Don't worry, Shikamaru will take care of her."

There was a pregnant pause between the two mothers.

"Ne Yoshino, do you think that now is the time to take action? They are coming of age and now is our chance to let them see that they belong to each other," Kaoru said hesitantly.

"I agree but, I think all they need is a little push. We shouldn't force them. Maybe we should give it a little more time before we try to get them together. I'd say give it another year."

"Okay, I understand. If you have any questions or needs please feel free to contact me. As for Ino, please take care of her. I wish I can go and help her but I know I mustn't. She is in no condition to go home for the time being. So I'm counting on you Yoshino, please don't abandon my little girl," she said on the other line.

"Don't worry Kaoru; we'll take proper care of her."

Shikamaru stood still at the corner of the living room. He shut his eyes replaying what he had overheard. He clenched his fists tightly knowing that he was the cause of Ino's current condition. It pained him to see her in this state. He inhaled deeply and slowly walked towards Ino's room.

As soon as he opened the door he caught sight of Ino doubling over on the floor trying to reach for the bathroom door. His eyes widen as if time had slowed down he ran towards his sickly friend and held onto her, "Baka! What do you think you're doing?!" he scolded her.

"I'm sorry Shika," she coughed, "I just need to use the toilet," Ino coughed some more.

Shikamaru's face saddened, carefully he lifted her up into his arms and carried her tiny body to the toilet. She sat on the floor with her back leaning to Shikamaru and suddenly her face flew forward to the bowl of the toilet and out came her breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Shikamaru rubbed her stiff back trying to ease the pain she felt as she threw up the food she ate.

Strange he thought, why would she be throwing up when all she had was a fever, then again he never knew much about being sick since he barely got sick. As he sat there rubbing her back he felt through this passing time that he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. His heart raced again. Just a simple touch and he had sparks electrifying the blood that ran through his very veins.

His thought s was interrupted when Ino suddenly fell backwards onto him. He watched her sleep, shivering, and searching for something to keep her warm. Shikamaru carried her back to the futon and tucked her in. Within ten minutes he found himself staring at her. Even if she didn't choose him, as long as he was with her that was enough right? He shook his head at the thought.

Then it suddenly occurred to him, when had he ever started developing such powerful emotions for his best friend? He didn't know but either way, he enjoyed it. Then again, it pained him just as equally since she doesn't seem to return the same affections to him.

In any case, he would just wait and watch her from afar then hope that maybe the feeling will dissipate like water evaporating into the air on a hot summer day.

"Troublesome Ino," he whispered feeling himself falling asleep just watching her lay there before him in deep slumber.